Dance teacher and instructor insurance

Public liability and professional indemnity insurance offers comprehensive protection against the cost of defending your dance business against allegations of professional negligence (such as giving incorrect instruction to a student) and if unsuccessful, the cost of damages awarded against you.

In addition, it covers the cost of defending your business (including damages awarded against you if unsuccessful) if someone is injured, or their property damaged, which arises from you going about your business. Examples of claims include:

• You instruct a student how to perform a dance move, but they fall awkwardly while trying to perform it and hurt themselves. They take legal action against you, alleging you did not explain how to perform the move safely.
• A child fails to make the progress expected of them and the parent alleges favouritism of other students is to blame. They take legal action against you, alleging that your services were inadequate.
• A student slips on an unsecured dance floor during a routine and breaks their wrist. They make a personal injury claim against you seeking compensation.
• A parent suffers an injury from a falling roof tile while attending their child’s dance class. They make a personal injury claim against you seeking compensation.

Professional indemnity and public liability insurance for a dance teacher of all descriptions is generally considered essential, particularly for those renting a community hall or gym studio to carry out their sessions. Limits range from £1m to £5m.

Employer’s liability insurance is a legal requirement if your business has employees. It covers your business against claims for injury or illness suffered by employees arising from their employment.

An example of a claim would be:

• An employee trips over a cable leading to a sound system and injures themselves. They are unable to work as a result and take legal action against you for the injury suffered.

If you have any employees, even on a part time basis, you need this cover. Cover for £10m.

Commercial legal expenses insurance covers the costs of defending you as a director or officer of your company against allegations of wrongful acts and any damages subsequently awarded against you. Cover is also provided for the legal costs and expenses of defending actions for disqualification as a director, investigations and extradition proceedings. Limits range from £100,000 to £5m.

Directors and officers insurance covers the costs of defending you as a director or officer of your company against allegations of wrongful acts and any damages subsequently awarded against you. Cover is also provided in respect of the legal costs and expenses of defending actions for disqualification as a director, investigations and extradition proceedings. Limits range from £100,000 to £5m.

Office insurance covers your office buildings, office contents and computer equipment against accidental damage (including theft) whilst on your business premises. Sounds systems, laptops and mobiles phones can all be at risk during sessions and it's worth considering covering these items if you use them for your business. You can also choose to cover your business equipment on a worldwide basis, and insure your business against loss of income and/or additional trading expenses following events such as damage to a property.

Occupational personal accident insurance provides a weekly payment if you are unable to work due to temporary total disablement (subject to a 14 day deferment period).

In the event of loss of limbs, sight, speech, hearing, permanent total disablement or death, a lump sum would be paid out.

Due to the physical nature of the work, many dance teachers experience injuries in the course of their profession, and occupational personal accident insurance can help you maintain an income if you were unable to work following an occupational accident.

Cyber and data risks insurance pays the costs of restoring data and equipment, informing clients, meeting ransom demands and loss of your net profit following a cyber attack. It also pays your legal defence costs and damages you are legally liable to pay to other parties. If you hold confidential information about your students, their progress and the classes they take on computers and other internet connected devices, you should give consideration to this cover.